Director of People and Culture

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Employer:
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Location:
Birmingham / Hybrid
Salary:
£90,000 per annum
Closing date:
Midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026
Job Ref:
GSe134175

Recruitment timetable

Closing Date
Midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026
Preliminary Interviews
w/c 16th November 2026
Final Panel Interviews
Early December 2026

Description

Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the world's leading ballet companies, taking world-class ballet to audiences in Birmingham, across the UK and internationally. With Ballet Everywhere at the heart of our mission, we create and perform work that moves people, reach new audiences and communities, and release the creative potential of people of all ages and backgrounds.

This is an exciting time to join Birmingham Royal Ballet. Alongside our artistic ambition, we are continuing to strengthen the organisation behind the performances, ensuring that how we work, lead and support our people reflects the same ambition we bring to the stage. We are now looking for a Director of People & Culture to play a central role in shaping that next chapter.

This is a newly created role, reporting directly to Chief Executive Paul James and sitting within the Business Group. You will lead our people and culture agenda, bringing together responsibility for HR and payroll with wider leadership across organisational culture, safeguarding, wellbeing, inclusion, diversity, equity and access.

This is an opportunity to do more than lead a people function. You will work across the Company to shape how our values are experienced in practice, develop the culture and capability we need for the future, and help create an environment where people feel valued, supported and able to do their best work. You will also act as a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive and contribute to wider organisational priorities and change.

We are looking for a people leader who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will bring experience of people leadership within a complex organisation, alongside a track record encompassing organisational and cultural change. You will be comfortable working with executive teams and Boards, navigating complex people matters and building trusted relationships across an organisation.

You do not need to have built your career in ballet or the performing arts. We are interested in the breadth of perspective and transferable experience you can bring, together with an understanding of how excellent people leadership can support an ambitious, creative and purpose-led organisation.

Our values are Creative to the Core, Devoted to Brilliance, Diverse and Different, and Full of Heart. They shape the organisation we want to be and the experience we want our people to have. We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives who share those ambitions.

The role is based at Thorp Street in Birmingham, with hybrid working and a minimum of three days per week on site. There will also be occasional travel to touring venues and Company events.

If you have a particular question regarding this opportunity please email, please contact michelle.sander@gatenbysanderson.com 

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How to Apply

  • Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
  • Detail any employment or education gaps.
  • Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
  • Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
  • Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com

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